Iceland: Where reality trumps fantasy

An iceberg at Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

An iceberg at Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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One of Iceland's famous tiny horses.

One of Iceland's famous tiny horses.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Music makers and fans in downtown Reykjavik.

Music makers and fans in downtown Reykjavik.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Building in downtown Reykjavik.

Building in downtown Reykjavik.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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The church of Hallgrimur in Reykjavik.

The church of Hallgrimur in Reykjavik.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Taking it easy in Reykjavik.

Taking it easy in Reykjavik.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Sculpture along the harbor in Reykjavik.

Sculpture along the harbor in Reykjavik.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Sculpture in Reykjavik, near Tjornin pond.

Sculpture in Reykjavik, near Tjornin pond.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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The view across Tjornin pond in Reykjavik.

The view across Tjornin pond in Reykjavik.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Glaciers in Vatnajokull National Park.

Glaciers in Vatnajokull National Park.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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A Zodiac on Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

A Zodiac on Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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An iceberg on Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

An iceberg on Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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An iceberg on Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

An iceberg on Jokulsarlon, a lagoon on the southeastern side of Iceland.

Photo: James Temple / James Temple

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Iceland: Where reality trumps fantasy

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On my first day in Iceland, when I told an inquiring taxi driver I was from California, he started citing songs by American bands with the Golden State in the lyrics. Actually more singing than citing.

Some 300,000 people live in Iceland, less than half the population of San Francisco, but with 40,000 square miles at their disposal. About two thirds live in Reykjavik, a modern city with delicious food, boisterous bars and friendly, earnest people eager to take full advantage of both.

But Iceland’s famed Ring Roadcarves an 830-mile ellipse around a rugged and largely undeveloped interior (see video below). Every swivel of the neck offers up another postcard worthy panorama, echoes of Yosemite, Glacier, Denali and Yellowstone — all packed into a landmass the size of Kentucky.

There are meandering brooks and tumbling waterfalls. Rolling green hills in foregrounds with volcanoes in the distance. Seaside cliffs abutting black sand beaches. And hot springs and geysers a few hours drive from icebergs and glaciers.

Traveling this road during a week-long trip last summer, I did my best to capture a bit of Iceland’s beauty. In the end, the hard part was figuring out when I could put the camera down.